Third Thursdays

The Third Thursday is a monthly event showcasing the creative talent of Reading and includes visual, literary, music and performing arts in non-traditional arts venues and it’s easy to remember as it’s on the Third Thursday of each month

Initially funded from a grant this programme aims to appeal to an audience that may not view the town centre offer after 5pm as being relevant to them. Third Thursdays will start off using single venues each month, but intends to broaden the scope to multiple venues in the late spring of 2011

The launch evening on 18th November at Novotel, Reading included an art auction where attendees had the opportunity to buy original works from some of Jelly’s most established artists, raising monies for charity, whilst they sipped a glass of the freshly arrived Beaujolais Nouveau and enjoyed some of the best French charcuterie, breads and cheeses.

Artists included Sarah Graham, now signed with major publisher Washington Green. After graduating a first in BA Hons Fine Art, Sarah started her early career as part of the team at jelly and has since become a successful sought out artist with many works in collections worldwide. We were thrilled to have this rare opportunity to sell one of her early pieces as part of the auction

Reading UK CIC is proud to support jelly and Third Thursdays.“We believe that our cultural life is one of the things that makes Reading great. Our town’s energy and our commitment to the arts are just two of the reasons so many people want to live and work here.

Our town centre businesses are directly involved in Reading’s continued success, funding the Business Improvement District (BID), managed by Reading UK CIC, the economic development company for Reading. The BID funds an ambitious range of projects, all adding value to the town centre – including floral displays, Christmas lighting, extra policing and a cardboard recycling scheme. It has also initiated or partnered some surprising new events – including Eat Reading, Outside:Inside Festival and of course Open For Art, as well as introducing Rguide – the new on-line guide to evenings out in Reading.”

The launch raised monies for Launchpad Reading, (formerly Reading Single Homeless Project) who are a registered charity that helps some of Reading’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people to turn around their lives and fulfil their full potential.

Launchpad Reading provide supported housing to single people who have a history of homelessness. And, as homelessness rarely comes alone, many are struggling with substance or alcohol misuse, have a history of offending or mental health issues, had a poor start in life or have been affected by a relationship breakdown.

At Launchpad Reading they give people a second chance, challenging and supporting them to make changes in their life